Description

Friston House is a Grade II Listed house with its origins believed to date from the 17th Century with later Georgian additions. It is mentioned in the ‘Croydon’s Guide to the watering places between the Exe and the Dart’ from 1817, which also features an engraving of the property as it was at that time. The house is bright and spacious with many original period features including fireplaces, shutters and curved bay windows.

The accommodation on the ground floor comprises of a large entrance hall with cloakroom, a WC and stairs leading to the first floor, a dual aspect drawing room with high ceiling featuring cornicing and ceiling rose, shuttered window, shuttered French doors to the veranda and gardens and an open fireplace; a dining room, again with shuttered French doors to the veranda; a kitchen/breakfast room with fitted units, integrated appliances and gas Aga set in a feature stone wall with access to a courtyard at the rear of the property; a study featuring one of the original curved bay windows and a useful utility room housing the boiler which services radiators throughout the property. The integral double garage is accessed from the utility room.

The sweeping staircase leads upstairs to a spacious and bright landing with access to the five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The dual aspect master bedroom enjoys views over the gardens, the Estuary and hills beyond. Four bedrooms feature wash basins, all are good sized and are serviced by the two family bathrooms. Bedroom five is currently also used as an office.

The Coach House Friston House has the added benefit of a detached two storey coach house, currently used for storage. Subject to the relevant planning permissions, the coach house has the potential to be converted into a one bedroom annexe for family or guests.

Friston House is located in the centre of the pretty village of Bishopsteignton, yet is in a very private situation within its delightful walled gardens. Bishopsteignton has two churches, a primary school, a Health Centre, a hotel, two Inns and a brewery selling local ales and ciders. The village also has a General Store, Post Office and Pharmacy. The local store is just a moments’ walk along the lane.

Teignmouth, just 2 ½ miles away, is situated on the north bank of the estuary mouth of the River Teign and has a good range of recreational and shopping facilities, including a Waitrose, and a number of schools, including Trinity School, Teignmouth Community College and Hazeldown Primary School. Newton Abbot has a very good range of schools, shops, restaurants, cafes, a weekly market and mainline train station. Perfectly positioned between Dartmoor National Park and the beautiful Devon coastline, all of which glimpses can be seen from the property.

Exeter, approximately 16 ½ miles away, offers a wide choice of cultural activities with the theatre, the museum, arts centre and a wealth of good shopping and restaurants, including John Lewis and a Waitrose supermarket. Many primary and secondary schools can be found in Exeter, whilst Exeter University is recognised as one of the best in the country. Communication links are excellent with the A38, Devon Expressway, making Plymouth easily accessible and offering easy access to the M5 at Exeter. There are frequent rail services from Newton Abbot to London Paddington, taking just over two hours, and Exeter International Airport offers an ever increasing number of domestic and international flights, including 2 flights a day to London City Airport.

Friston House is approached over a sweeping private drive, through the mature gardens, to a gravelled parking and turning area and the garage.

The walled and private gardens enjoy the sun throughout the day, with the south facing level lawn and veranda to the front of the property making an ideal spot for alfresco dining and drinks. The veranda has a climbing vine with wisteria along a pergola walk and a pretty rose arch. To the east of the house a path leads to pedestrian access to the lane and village. A courtyard lies to the rear of the house with beds of lavender and the original outside toilet.

The gardens to the west of the house have a further level area of lawn with a variety of established trees, including apples, pears, plums, a cherry, greengage, apricot and fig. Steps lead up to a productive vegetable garden with a wide variety of fruit bushes including blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries. A compost area and greenhouse are found along the wall to the rear of the gardens.